An altered state of consciousness occurs when some
aspect of normal consciousness is modified by mental,
behavioral, or chemical means.
Hypnosis
Hypnos: Greek God of sleep.
Hypnosis is not being asleep
A state of awareness characterized by
deep relaxation, heightened
suggestibility and focused attention.
Hypnotizabilty
Power lies with person
being hypnotized.
Susceptibility: experts
measure it by a person’s
responsiveness to
standard suggestions.
(“your right hand is lighter
than air”)
An Altered state?
Theories:
1. distinct state of consciousness.
2. a social process: role playing to please
hypnotist.
3. simply heightened motivation
• Focus attention channels more energy into
suggested activities.
• They are hypnotized because they want or
expect to be.
“Hidden Observer”
Ernest Hilgard proposed hypnosis is a
disassociated state involving a hidden
observer in the person’s mind operating in
parallel with normal consciousness.
Uses for Hypnosis
•Powerful tool for researchers.
•Desensitizing Phobic patients
•Relaxation program to combat stress
•Eliminating unwanted behaviors (smoking)or
diminish a person’s craving.
•Managing pain to avoid anesthesia
Control pain?
•Lamaze for natural child
birth.
•Not for everyone!
•How? No one
understands for sure but
we know that endorphins
are not involved when
hypnotized and it may
have something to do
with the gate control
theory on pain.
Meditation
Focusing on a repetitive
behavior, assuming
certain body positions
and minimizing external
stimulations.
Increase self knowledge
and well being and to
find a form of spiritual
enlightenment
Effects of Meditation
Slow changes in brain wave patterns
Produces frontal lobe changes
associated with positive
emotions.(Davidson et al., 2003)
Positive benefits in blood pressure,
stress hormones.(Seeman et al., 2003)
Cannot scientifically be measured if a
new sense of understanding has been
reached.
Drugs
Psychoactive Drugs: All stimulate
the brain’s “rewards circuits”.
Cocaine, heroin, and
amphetamines all trick the brain
by making the brain think these
substances our good for us.
4 categories: hallucinogens,
opiates, depressants and
stimulants.
Hallucinogens
Alter perceptions, blur the
boundary between self and
external world.
Act in the brain at specific
receptor sites for serotonin
Mescaline, psilocybin, PCP
LSD, etc
PCP: produces a dissociative
reaction in which user feels
disembodied or removed
from parts of their body.
LSD
Cannabis
THC-causes the release of
dopamine in the brain.
Some research shows that the
brain produces its own THC like
chemicals so cannabis exploits the
natural chemistry in the brain.
Interferes with cognition (learning,
thinking, memory etc.)
Low psychological dependence
Opiates
Morphine, heroin, codeine
Highly addictive drug that suppresses
physical sensation and response to
stimulation
However no changes in cognitive abilities.
For reasons unknown, opiates are less
addictive for patients who use for medical
reasons. May affect different parts of the
brain instead of reward centers.
Methadone-synthetic drug that can be
ingested orally.
useful in helping heroine addicts
Depressants
Slow down the mental
and physical activity of
the body by inhibiting
the CNS.
Barbiturates,
benzodiazepines, and
alcohol.
In minor doses can
relieve anxiety or pain.
But overuse impairs
reflexes and judgment.
Barbituates
Used in sleeping pills
Dangerous because it reduces REM sleep
time and then causes REM rebound
Overdose can cause loss of consciousness,
coma or death.
Benzodiazepines
Safer, referred to as minor
tranquilizers
Commonly used to treat anxiety
Valium and Xanax
Almost never taken as
recreational because if you don’t
have anxiety problems the
effects are not so pleasurable.
Alcohol
Loosening of inhibitions…alcohol
depresses activity in the brain
circuits that normally control self
monitoring of our thoughts and
behaviors.
Impairs coordination and mental
processing (deficits in thinking,
memory and judgment).
5-10% use alcohol in an unsafe way.
Stimulants
Speed up the CNS resulting
in a boost in mental and
physical activity levels.
Cocaine-most powerful
“reward” thus highly
addictive.
Effects are intense
pleasurable sensations,
increased self confidence,
greater energy and
alertness.
Tolerance: you need larger and larger doses to get the
same effect as the first time.
Physical dependence: process by which the body
adjust and comes to need the substance for everyday
functioning.
-less sensitive natural reinforcers such as love
and friendship
Withdrawal: perspiring, nausea, trembling and death
Psychological dependence: a desire to use the drug
even when there is no physical dependence.
Treating addiction
Disease or a weakness of character?
It can effect a person’s treatment especially when
we focus on the biological and medical treatment
while ignoring the social aspect.
Vietnam veterans –had a higher success rate in
beating their addiction than people who became
addicted on the street.
Conclusion
Alters the functioning of your brain
Temporarily changes your consciousness
Mimics the neurotransmitters, enhance or
dampen their effects at the synapses.